"Government's ordinance negating SC order on convicted MPs/MLAs will greatly damage the poll prospects of Congress in the coming assembly elections," said Shastri.

Minister of State for IT and Communiction Deora also tweeted: "Legalities aside allowing convicted MPs/MLAs 2 retain seats in the midst of an appeal can endanger already eroding public faith in democracy."

On Wednesday, shortly after Congress spokesperson Raj Babbar defended the ordinance, general secretary Digvijaya Singh said: "In such controversial matters, it is always better to bring about a political consensus rather than pushing through an ordinance."